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Amendments
Like millions before her, Emelia Aaron has the chance to go back and make the 'correct' decisions.
On her twenty-first birthday, when she registers her Right to Amend, Emelia is filled with hope for the first time in years. Hope for her sister, Finola. Hope for her and Gabe. Maybe even hope for humanity.
But fate forces her hand far quicker than she could have imagined and Emelia quickly learns that acting upon the little envelope containing her amendment is far harder than sending it. Even armed with a message from the future, the way forward is far from clear.
Faced with an impossible decision, her sister or her soulmate, Emelia must try and predict exactly just how far the ripples of her amendments will spread…
On her twenty-first birthday, when she registers her Right to Amend, Emelia is filled with hope for the first time in years. Hope for her sister, Finola. Hope for her and Gabe. Maybe even hope for humanity.
But fate forces her hand far quicker than she could have imagined and Emelia quickly learns that acting upon the little envelope containing her amendment is far harder than sending it. Even armed with a message from the future, the way forward is far from clear.
Faced with an impossible decision, her sister or her soulmate, Emelia must try and predict exactly just how far the ripples of her amendments will spread…
Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2015
49 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Hannah M. Lynn
50 books937 followersHannah Lynn is a multi award winning novelist. Publishing her first book, Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015. Her second book, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus – a contemporary fiction novel with a supernatural twist – went on to win the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and the Independent Publishers Gold Medal for Best Adult Ebook.
Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction.
With over 30 publications spanning a number of genres and translated into a dozen languages, Hannah has proven herself to be both an accomplished and prolific author.
Now settled back in the UK with her husband, daughter and clowder of cats, she spends her days writing romantic comedies and historical fiction. Her first historical fiction novel, Athena's Child, was also a 2020 Gold Medalist at the Independent Publishers Awards.
Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction.
With over 30 publications spanning a number of genres and translated into a dozen languages, Hannah has proven herself to be both an accomplished and prolific author.
Now settled back in the UK with her husband, daughter and clowder of cats, she spends her days writing romantic comedies and historical fiction. Her first historical fiction novel, Athena's Child, was also a 2020 Gold Medalist at the Independent Publishers Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 1, 2020
Amendments is one of those books that once you start reading it, you cannot put it down.
A mix of sci-fi, speculative fiction and drama, it is a thought provoking story that will make you really consider how much the what ifs can affect your life. Because in Amendments you get the chance to change the what ifs into new reality. But at what cost? Having the option to go back in time and change your past, save your loved one, you would think that that is the best possible thing to happen. But is it? You see one outcome of changes you reinforce but in reality it is a trickle of many little or big things changing because you changed the past.
Hannah Lynn wrote an impressive story that flows seamlessly with an intriguing plot and interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking out for more stories from that author.
A mix of sci-fi, speculative fiction and drama, it is a thought provoking story that will make you really consider how much the what ifs can affect your life. Because in Amendments you get the chance to change the what ifs into new reality. But at what cost? Having the option to go back in time and change your past, save your loved one, you would think that that is the best possible thing to happen. But is it? You see one outcome of changes you reinforce but in reality it is a trickle of many little or big things changing because you changed the past.
Hannah Lynn wrote an impressive story that flows seamlessly with an intriguing plot and interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking out for more stories from that author.
September 19, 2018
3 Stars
Review:
I normally avoid books that deal with time travel because I tend to have a lot of issues with how its portrayed, but the first few pages of this book were dark and well-written and convinced me to give it a go. I mostly enjoyed this but did have a few issues, so I'll do some lists and get the negatives out of the way first.
Things I Disliked:
- The book felt long. Maybe just too much description for me.
- The plot didn't have a solid goal, and I tend to get impatient with plots like that. But in the end, it made sense why the author started and ended where she did. It was basically one turning point in the main character's life to another turning point.
- Some of Em's decisions frustrated me. They were believable, but they weren't the decisions I'd have made, and I kind of wanted to shake her and tell her not to do that.
- Em used the word 'cripple' to refer to someone in a wheelchair a couple times. It's believable that someone would say that, but I'm not sure it was necessary to the story.
- There were a couple things about the time travel that didn't quite make sense to me.
Things I Liked:
- This book was dark. I like dark. But it wasn't hopelessly dark.
- The characters were realistic, complex, and imperfect. And their relationships were imperfect, both the romance and the sister relationship.
- While there were a couple things that bothered me about the time travel, I was able to just roll with this version because I liked how the author explored the potential consequences and ramifications of such a society, one that allows citizens to travel back in time and do things differently, but with rules and regulations.
- The time travel also made the book thought-provoking. It made me think about whether I would amend if I could, exactly when I'd go back to, what I'd change, what I'd put in my letter. It also made me think about how different society and life would be if people could amend. Would anything you do really matter? Chances are it would just be amended by someone eventually since people were constantly turning back time. That would be an unsettling way to live. And if people were constantly turning time back, how would society move forward? Would the benefits of being able to amend really outweigh the negatives? I love when books make me think.
Other:
- I'm not sure if this will be part of a series. The way it ended felt like closure, but then one little thing happened that created an opening for the story to continue, and it seems like the author might still have more in mind.
Overall:
Although I did have some issues, I thought this was a good story with a unique premise, and I really enjoyed how dark and thought-provoking it was!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes time travel, dark books, thought-provoking books, and imperfect characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
I normally avoid books that deal with time travel because I tend to have a lot of issues with how its portrayed, but the first few pages of this book were dark and well-written and convinced me to give it a go. I mostly enjoyed this but did have a few issues, so I'll do some lists and get the negatives out of the way first.
Things I Disliked:
- The book felt long. Maybe just too much description for me.
- The plot didn't have a solid goal, and I tend to get impatient with plots like that. But in the end, it made sense why the author started and ended where she did. It was basically one turning point in the main character's life to another turning point.
- Some of Em's decisions frustrated me. They were believable, but they weren't the decisions I'd have made, and I kind of wanted to shake her and tell her not to do that.
- Em used the word 'cripple' to refer to someone in a wheelchair a couple times. It's believable that someone would say that, but I'm not sure it was necessary to the story.
- There were a couple things about the time travel that didn't quite make sense to me.
Things I Liked:
- This book was dark. I like dark. But it wasn't hopelessly dark.
- The characters were realistic, complex, and imperfect. And their relationships were imperfect, both the romance and the sister relationship.
- While there were a couple things that bothered me about the time travel, I was able to just roll with this version because I liked how the author explored the potential consequences and ramifications of such a society, one that allows citizens to travel back in time and do things differently, but with rules and regulations.
- The time travel also made the book thought-provoking. It made me think about whether I would amend if I could, exactly when I'd go back to, what I'd change, what I'd put in my letter. It also made me think about how different society and life would be if people could amend. Would anything you do really matter? Chances are it would just be amended by someone eventually since people were constantly turning back time. That would be an unsettling way to live. And if people were constantly turning time back, how would society move forward? Would the benefits of being able to amend really outweigh the negatives? I love when books make me think.
Other:
- I'm not sure if this will be part of a series. The way it ended felt like closure, but then one little thing happened that created an opening for the story to continue, and it seems like the author might still have more in mind.
Overall:
Although I did have some issues, I thought this was a good story with a unique premise, and I really enjoyed how dark and thought-provoking it was!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes time travel, dark books, thought-provoking books, and imperfect characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
May 22, 2015
I received a free copy of this book from the author. This in no way influences my opinion on the book or my review.
Fantastic book. It had me gripped from beginning to end, I love the world Lynn has created. I really can't wait for the next book now!
Well, I can understand why this book is an instant best seller. The way the Amendments is written, it's very easy to follow and flows nicely, but Lynn also achieves a level of depth in her writing that few authors reach. It isn't forced, it just flows.
The first half of the book has you asking all kinds of questions - why are they living that kind of life when they can just amend it? Why are the envelopes specific colours? Is it significant, and why? What's the deal with Marchers? I like this in a book. When you're given the answers it's part of the storylines natural progression. Lynn doesn't just force information in for the reader, it's written delicately so that it all makes sense and you get the answers when you need them.
After finishing Amendments the first thing I think is 'wow'. The opening and close of the book both smack you in the face, it's powerful and it makes you think. I love a book that makes me think! Lynn asks the readers a question at the start, "if you could go back and amend two things in your life, just two, how would you decide?" You're instantly connected in the first line. It's suddenly relatable, and you haven't even finished the first paragraph. Emelia and her sister Fi really do have a tough life and even if you can't relate, there's an emotion in the writing. Where reliability struggles, you get sucked in and gripped by the emotion in the book. This I can say with utter confidence because I was gutted when my Kindle Fire unexpectedly died on me half way through! It was long past my bed time anyway, but I just couldn't help it.
I think the bad thing about books like this (in a positive way) is you're eager for the next book but know you have to wait. Patience is meant to be a virtue, but at times like this it really doesn't feel like it!
I can't say much without giving the story away, but when you finish this book you feel changed. I felt the same when I finished Great Expectations and David Copperfield, and no I'm not just saying that! This book really makes you think how lucky you are, how you don't need to face the battles these poor girls faced. It's all in the writing. It has you hooked from the start and you're sad when the book finishes. It's a great and satisfying ending, but it's one of those books that you wish you could comfort the characters and be part of their world to make it easier for them and share their burdens.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels, or books were young adults face terrible circumstances. It's moving, evenly paced, and thought-provoking.
For more of my reviews, please visit my book blog at: www.anovelstart.com
Fantastic book. It had me gripped from beginning to end, I love the world Lynn has created. I really can't wait for the next book now!
Well, I can understand why this book is an instant best seller. The way the Amendments is written, it's very easy to follow and flows nicely, but Lynn also achieves a level of depth in her writing that few authors reach. It isn't forced, it just flows.
The first half of the book has you asking all kinds of questions - why are they living that kind of life when they can just amend it? Why are the envelopes specific colours? Is it significant, and why? What's the deal with Marchers? I like this in a book. When you're given the answers it's part of the storylines natural progression. Lynn doesn't just force information in for the reader, it's written delicately so that it all makes sense and you get the answers when you need them.
After finishing Amendments the first thing I think is 'wow'. The opening and close of the book both smack you in the face, it's powerful and it makes you think. I love a book that makes me think! Lynn asks the readers a question at the start, "if you could go back and amend two things in your life, just two, how would you decide?" You're instantly connected in the first line. It's suddenly relatable, and you haven't even finished the first paragraph. Emelia and her sister Fi really do have a tough life and even if you can't relate, there's an emotion in the writing. Where reliability struggles, you get sucked in and gripped by the emotion in the book. This I can say with utter confidence because I was gutted when my Kindle Fire unexpectedly died on me half way through! It was long past my bed time anyway, but I just couldn't help it.
I think the bad thing about books like this (in a positive way) is you're eager for the next book but know you have to wait. Patience is meant to be a virtue, but at times like this it really doesn't feel like it!
I can't say much without giving the story away, but when you finish this book you feel changed. I felt the same when I finished Great Expectations and David Copperfield, and no I'm not just saying that! This book really makes you think how lucky you are, how you don't need to face the battles these poor girls faced. It's all in the writing. It has you hooked from the start and you're sad when the book finishes. It's a great and satisfying ending, but it's one of those books that you wish you could comfort the characters and be part of their world to make it easier for them and share their burdens.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels, or books were young adults face terrible circumstances. It's moving, evenly paced, and thought-provoking.
For more of my reviews, please visit my book blog at: www.anovelstart.com
January 20, 2016
This is the fourth book I read on my holidays.
It is actually a well written novel and overall I thought it was ok. I think due to it being of a dystopia genre, which isn't my usual type of read, I probably didn't enjoy it as much as fans of this genre.
It is actually a well written novel and overall I thought it was ok. I think due to it being of a dystopia genre, which isn't my usual type of read, I probably didn't enjoy it as much as fans of this genre.
November 12, 2018
I was kindly sent a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first jump into Hannah’s work & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was sucked in right from the very beginning, the concept of being able to go back twice, to change what was for the possibility of a better future really intrigued me.
This book had me feeling so many emotions, it made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry & had me on the edge of my seat.
I fell in love with Gabe & Em, and even grew to like Fi too.
I am secretly hoping this is going to be part of a series 🤞🏼
This is my first jump into Hannah’s work & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was sucked in right from the very beginning, the concept of being able to go back twice, to change what was for the possibility of a better future really intrigued me.
This book had me feeling so many emotions, it made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry & had me on the edge of my seat.
I fell in love with Gabe & Em, and even grew to like Fi too.
I am secretly hoping this is going to be part of a series 🤞🏼
August 11, 2016
This turned out to be a highly entertaining read for me. I loved all the drama between the characters and never knowing who to trust. On Emelia’s 21st birthday she registers for her “amendments.” An amendment is the opportunity to go back in time in order to alter the present/future. This society believes everyone should live their life without regrets and everyone receives 2 amendments. Emelia doesn’t have an exact plan for how she’ll use her amendments, but deep down she knows she’ll use them to help her sister, Fi. After the death of their mother Fi has been coping by excessively drinking. Emelia and a family friend, Gabe, have been doing everything they can to make ends meet. When Gabe and Emelia fall in love, Fi’s behavior becomes more and more destructive. Emelia is forced to choose between her own happiness or her sister’s.
"These letters, they’re more than one person’s decision, one person’s amendment. They’re linked in so many ways that we couldn’t possibly hope to see. How many lives were altered because they were sent? How many times has my life been altered so people can make one simple change?”
It’s an interesting idea, and although the reality of the book raises a lot of questions, it wasn’t an issue for me. It’s fast paced and easy to go with the flow. I’ve never read anything like it before, a truly unique twist on dystopian fiction. I couldn’t put it down.
"These letters, they’re more than one person’s decision, one person’s amendment. They’re linked in so many ways that we couldn’t possibly hope to see. How many lives were altered because they were sent? How many times has my life been altered so people can make one simple change?”
It’s an interesting idea, and although the reality of the book raises a lot of questions, it wasn’t an issue for me. It’s fast paced and easy to go with the flow. I’ve never read anything like it before, a truly unique twist on dystopian fiction. I couldn’t put it down.
May 3, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it very hard to put down. It's a different take on a genre that seems to be in vogue at the moment, that of the underdog struggling against the system in a dystopian future. Think a grown up's Hunger Games or Divergent without quite so much running around.
There are only a few main characters but they are so well written and formed that I found myself really feeling for them and when I wasn't able to be reading I was wondering what was happening to them. It's one of those books where I found myself asking the character why they had done something rather than wondering why the author had written it in a particular way.
I'm not going to go into too much detail about the plot as I don't want to spoil it but it has twists and turns galore and I particularly liked the little twist at the end.
I love it when I find a new author that I like, the only problem with H.M. Lynn is that she is a new author and this is her first book, so I ask myself, how long must I wait until the sequel?!
I can thoroughly recommend a read of this book
There are only a few main characters but they are so well written and formed that I found myself really feeling for them and when I wasn't able to be reading I was wondering what was happening to them. It's one of those books where I found myself asking the character why they had done something rather than wondering why the author had written it in a particular way.
I'm not going to go into too much detail about the plot as I don't want to spoil it but it has twists and turns galore and I particularly liked the little twist at the end.
I love it when I find a new author that I like, the only problem with H.M. Lynn is that she is a new author and this is her first book, so I ask myself, how long must I wait until the sequel?!
I can thoroughly recommend a read of this book
May 9, 2015
Imagine a world where, when you reach 21, you are given two chances at amendment during the rest of your life. At any time, you can go back to any point in your life, and re-live from there. You can leave a message to your previous self. What sort of world would this produce, where lives keep changing, how do you decide when to Amend?
This is the premise of this fascinating book.
It focuses on sisters Em and Fi and their friend, Gabe.
Em has just reached 21 and already has difficult decisions to make, and it is fascinating to see how these affect their lives. It’s hard to say a lot more without spoiling the book, but the description of the effect of Amendments on the attitudes and values of people really made me think.
The book ends with the possibility of a sequel, but is perfect within itself.
Not quite five stars, I kept trying to over-think the effects of all the changes in a real world .....just go with the flow!
This is the premise of this fascinating book.
It focuses on sisters Em and Fi and their friend, Gabe.
Em has just reached 21 and already has difficult decisions to make, and it is fascinating to see how these affect their lives. It’s hard to say a lot more without spoiling the book, but the description of the effect of Amendments on the attitudes and values of people really made me think.
The book ends with the possibility of a sequel, but is perfect within itself.
Not quite five stars, I kept trying to over-think the effects of all the changes in a real world .....just go with the flow!
June 6, 2018
This book is really hard to classify. It doesn't fit just one genre. On the surface it's easy to lump it in the Dystopian genre but honestly there is so much more to it. It's Sci-Fi, Speculative Fiction, Drama, Romance... well you get the idea. One thing I can say with absolute certainty is that it's enthralling!
The main theme is the ramifications of time travel or "The Butterfly Effect". How going back to undo a choice or action (making an "Amendment") will have a strong ripple effect on everyone and everything around you.
We have two sisters whose lives have already been drastically altered by their mother's amendments but in order to rectify past mistakes to try an improve their lives, the sisters use their right to amend. The results are.. well, you'll have to read it to find out.
Hannah Lynne has brilliantly written a story that will make you question everything in your own life. What if I did this? Or If I hadn't gone there... You know the "What Ifs" that we all carry around with us, only in this book, we get to see the consequences when people try to experiment with causality.
I really loved this story. The plot was unique, exciting, and truly evocative, and I was riveted from page one. You know those books that are so amazing, you want everyone you know to read it just so you can talk about it with them? This is definitely one of those books.
Rating... A+
The main theme is the ramifications of time travel or "The Butterfly Effect". How going back to undo a choice or action (making an "Amendment") will have a strong ripple effect on everyone and everything around you.
We have two sisters whose lives have already been drastically altered by their mother's amendments but in order to rectify past mistakes to try an improve their lives, the sisters use their right to amend. The results are.. well, you'll have to read it to find out.
Hannah Lynne has brilliantly written a story that will make you question everything in your own life. What if I did this? Or If I hadn't gone there... You know the "What Ifs" that we all carry around with us, only in this book, we get to see the consequences when people try to experiment with causality.
I really loved this story. The plot was unique, exciting, and truly evocative, and I was riveted from page one. You know those books that are so amazing, you want everyone you know to read it just so you can talk about it with them? This is definitely one of those books.
Rating... A+
November 2, 2018
This was a thoroughly entertaining book, and well written, and I really wanted to read to the end to see what would happen. If it wasn’t for some of the issues with the time travel it would have been 5*s from me, but putting reality aside it was a great concept.
Some time in the future when air travel has been stopped and petrol is a luxury, the they have learned how to allow people to go back in time and change their pasts, helped by an envelope which you write to your past self with a warning. You register for your amendments at 21, giving your DNA to enable you to travel back, and you then have 2 amendments- 2 chances to change something in your life, or simply live your life over.
Obviously as your life changes, there are consequences for those around you too. What if you had to chose between the love of your life and your only family? How would you choose?
I couldn’t put it down.
Some time in the future when air travel has been stopped and petrol is a luxury, the they have learned how to allow people to go back in time and change their pasts, helped by an envelope which you write to your past self with a warning. You register for your amendments at 21, giving your DNA to enable you to travel back, and you then have 2 amendments- 2 chances to change something in your life, or simply live your life over.
Obviously as your life changes, there are consequences for those around you too. What if you had to chose between the love of your life and your only family? How would you choose?
I couldn’t put it down.
November 3, 2018
I began to read Amendments by an author that truthfully I had not heard of before (sorry) But, I must say I want more! The subject matter left me reeling and pondering but, I also felt a strong bond with how it was written. It was like a beautiful romance (stick with me on this) when you begin with a relationship you want it to flow and grow naturally, not feel forced, like your sat in the mastermind seat whilst questions are thrown at you. You slowly get sucked further and deeper into the relationship (um I mean book) until you either break up or fall in love. I fell in love with this book and would recommend to all
November 18, 2018
A dark, gritty and gripping dystopian novel. Not my usual genre and quite unlike The Afterlife of Walter Augustus, which I preferred. However, in amendments Ms Lynn has come up with another amazing, unique and thought provoking concept. I’m grateful that the world portrayed is far removed from reality. The characters Em, Gabe and Fi are well drawn and come alive on the page. Their story grabs you and pulls you in. Great book for fans of this genre, which I’m not, but even so I couldn’t wait to find what happened next! That’s the sign of a great storyteller.
November 19, 2018
An interesting concept ! If you go go back in time. .. would you . And what would you change . ?? Thought provoking and highly entertaining. I really hope this is the start of a series . My thanks to to tbc reviewers for the opportunity to read . 4.5 stars
February 13, 2020
Good story and an interesting take on time travel. Ending was shorter and lacked the depth I would have expected from a book of this length but concluded nicely. Would read again.
November 7, 2018
This book was not what I expected. It was so much more. The concept was fantastic & left me with a lot of questions.
The story features Em & her sister Fi in a world where you get two chances at going back and redoing things again - amending history and in theory, mistakes you made. A chance to do things better. It's a great idea, the fact you can prevent accidents, stop bad things happening, but as the story shows, there are so many outcomes to every event - how do you ever know what is going to be better? How do you know when to make the change, and how do you ensure you do the right thing?
It's also a love story - between Em & Gabe, and Em & her sister. I really enjoyed the fact that none of the relationships were clean & simplistic, it made it more real that everyone had flaws.
The world they lived in was stark & brutal - but again, very realistic. I always felt cold reading this book!
A great read, a really different take on things & one I'd recommend.
The story features Em & her sister Fi in a world where you get two chances at going back and redoing things again - amending history and in theory, mistakes you made. A chance to do things better. It's a great idea, the fact you can prevent accidents, stop bad things happening, but as the story shows, there are so many outcomes to every event - how do you ever know what is going to be better? How do you know when to make the change, and how do you ensure you do the right thing?
It's also a love story - between Em & Gabe, and Em & her sister. I really enjoyed the fact that none of the relationships were clean & simplistic, it made it more real that everyone had flaws.
The world they lived in was stark & brutal - but again, very realistic. I always felt cold reading this book!
A great read, a really different take on things & one I'd recommend.
August 26, 2018
Amendments is set in a dystopian future, which somehow feels like it should be a utopia if only people could just find the right amendments!
This is the theme that runs through the whole story: the interconnectedness of events, which means that for every action there may be one foreseen consequence, but multitudes of unforseen ones, untold other changes rippling outwards, good and bad. The morality issues are fully explored but remain shaded in hues of grey; is it selfish to refuse to use your allotted amendments to improve or save a loved one? What if you make a positive change to your own life, but as a direct or indirect result the new world you have created means death for hundreds of others? These are complex questions and Hannah Lynn frames them but leaves the answers to her readers to interpret as they wish.
The novel follows Emelia as she grapples with such dilemmas from the date that she receives her right to two amendments to her life choices. The process of this is unclear, but appears to involve a reset back to a specified date along with an envelope containing a short message from the ‘previous self’ that requested the amendment. However, unlike Groundhog Day you can’t revisit the same event to keep refining your results. Once you have amended an event once, you have to live with the consequences…unless you can persuade someone else to use their amendment as you wish, of course.
Although the book is packed with emotional tension, the actual problems Emelia faces are not huge or dramatic initially, just standard dysfunctional family and relationship issues that any number of other people are dealing with on a daily basis. That is the scariest thing about Amendments, these things could and do happen in real life, and yet we see that changing them doesn’t necessarily mean improvement.
The secrecy around the processes and systems involved helps the author to throw some twists and turns in as the plot progresses, but it did make the beginning chapters quite confusing as I struggled to follow what the whole setup was and what the characters were struggling with / trying to achieve. This settled down as the plot unfolded and further details gradually drip-fed through with the action.
At the time of reading I whole-heartedly bought into the events of the plot and Emelia’s angst, but after some post-book reflection I did wonder why anyone would adjust early on in life. After all, you can choose to go back at any time, so it seems to make much more logical sense to just let your bad decisions play all the way out and then towards the end of your life go back and make the big adjustments that stand out to you. On Emelia’s logic I would have used up both my amendments in my twenties on bad boyfriends and drama, then had no recourse for later, bigger problems! I didn’t feel the novel gave a sufficient explanation for this trigger-happy attitude, especially in regards to the first tricky decision Emelia faces: surely she could have waited even a couple of days to see if things improved first?!
Despite those quibbles, this is an intensely thought-provoking and entertaining story about the things we do for our loved ones and how we decide our path in life.
Being my twenty-first birthday, today is the last day my hand will look like this: pink, crinkled, unbroken. In a few hours it will be scarred; marked with my right to amend. I should probably be excited. Most people would be. But I know from experience that amendments don’t solve everything. My mother is a testament to that.
– Hannah Lynn, Amendments
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
This is the theme that runs through the whole story: the interconnectedness of events, which means that for every action there may be one foreseen consequence, but multitudes of unforseen ones, untold other changes rippling outwards, good and bad. The morality issues are fully explored but remain shaded in hues of grey; is it selfish to refuse to use your allotted amendments to improve or save a loved one? What if you make a positive change to your own life, but as a direct or indirect result the new world you have created means death for hundreds of others? These are complex questions and Hannah Lynn frames them but leaves the answers to her readers to interpret as they wish.
The novel follows Emelia as she grapples with such dilemmas from the date that she receives her right to two amendments to her life choices. The process of this is unclear, but appears to involve a reset back to a specified date along with an envelope containing a short message from the ‘previous self’ that requested the amendment. However, unlike Groundhog Day you can’t revisit the same event to keep refining your results. Once you have amended an event once, you have to live with the consequences…unless you can persuade someone else to use their amendment as you wish, of course.
Although the book is packed with emotional tension, the actual problems Emelia faces are not huge or dramatic initially, just standard dysfunctional family and relationship issues that any number of other people are dealing with on a daily basis. That is the scariest thing about Amendments, these things could and do happen in real life, and yet we see that changing them doesn’t necessarily mean improvement.
The secrecy around the processes and systems involved helps the author to throw some twists and turns in as the plot progresses, but it did make the beginning chapters quite confusing as I struggled to follow what the whole setup was and what the characters were struggling with / trying to achieve. This settled down as the plot unfolded and further details gradually drip-fed through with the action.
At the time of reading I whole-heartedly bought into the events of the plot and Emelia’s angst, but after some post-book reflection I did wonder why anyone would adjust early on in life. After all, you can choose to go back at any time, so it seems to make much more logical sense to just let your bad decisions play all the way out and then towards the end of your life go back and make the big adjustments that stand out to you. On Emelia’s logic I would have used up both my amendments in my twenties on bad boyfriends and drama, then had no recourse for later, bigger problems! I didn’t feel the novel gave a sufficient explanation for this trigger-happy attitude, especially in regards to the first tricky decision Emelia faces: surely she could have waited even a couple of days to see if things improved first?!
Despite those quibbles, this is an intensely thought-provoking and entertaining story about the things we do for our loved ones and how we decide our path in life.
Being my twenty-first birthday, today is the last day my hand will look like this: pink, crinkled, unbroken. In a few hours it will be scarred; marked with my right to amend. I should probably be excited. Most people would be. But I know from experience that amendments don’t solve everything. My mother is a testament to that.
– Hannah Lynn, Amendments
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
November 1, 2018
A thought provoking dark read of the morality of decisions and time travel. Really good read, slow in places but dark enough to keep you guessing. A good read.
May 14, 2015
Full disclosure: The author of this approached me and asked me to read her book and review it. I guess there weren't many reviews on Goodreads and she liked the way I reviewed other books in the genre. At first, this made me nervous. I make it a point not to review books by people I know, and this seemed in a sort of gray area. What if I didn't like it? Would I have the guts to stand up and say so once personal contact had been initiated? That said, I can't resist the allure of a book put in front of me.
I liked it! Thank heaven! Possible conflict of interest avoided! I read the whole thing in two nights.
First off, the premise is interesting and something I've sort of thought about on my own for a while, so it was fun to see someone working through it in fiction. There are those things in life, those choices, that we regret. What if we'd chosen differently? We spend a lot of intellect and emotion wondering what might have been. Ms. Lynn's book gives her characters the chance to change two things, by sending two notes to their past selves. It's largely your usual young-adult dystopian novel (though a bit more adult, a bit less young) and, I would say, a really solid start to a career as a novelist. I really liked the premise, and the underlying themes of self-doubt (how do you know you're changing the right thing, especially since you've only got two chances and YOUR ability to change the past doesn't mean someone else can't go back later and change it back). It was gripping and fun, and the way the novel was structured reflected the story well. Most importantly, Ms. Lynn shows rather than tells. I read a book recently that did the opposite, and it still feels refreshing to bury myself in a novel where the author trusts me to figure things out for myself.
There were a couple of things I didn't really like, but I really think they're the kinds of things that'll work themselves out with a few more novels. The last sentence, for example, just seemed like really blatant THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL. I don't know if that was the intention or not. I suppose it could just as easily been a stab at a horror-story-twist-ending but, in either case, it seemed out of place. I'm also getting really tired of female characters who find out the romantic interest slept with someone else before they even got together and throw a huge hissy fit over it.
Overall, though, I quite enjoyed it. I liked the questions that kind of option raises, and I especially liked that Ms. Lynn explored quite a few of those questions and that her explorations were, in general, delicate rather than heavy-handed.
I liked it! Thank heaven! Possible conflict of interest avoided! I read the whole thing in two nights.
First off, the premise is interesting and something I've sort of thought about on my own for a while, so it was fun to see someone working through it in fiction. There are those things in life, those choices, that we regret. What if we'd chosen differently? We spend a lot of intellect and emotion wondering what might have been. Ms. Lynn's book gives her characters the chance to change two things, by sending two notes to their past selves. It's largely your usual young-adult dystopian novel (though a bit more adult, a bit less young) and, I would say, a really solid start to a career as a novelist. I really liked the premise, and the underlying themes of self-doubt (how do you know you're changing the right thing, especially since you've only got two chances and YOUR ability to change the past doesn't mean someone else can't go back later and change it back). It was gripping and fun, and the way the novel was structured reflected the story well. Most importantly, Ms. Lynn shows rather than tells. I read a book recently that did the opposite, and it still feels refreshing to bury myself in a novel where the author trusts me to figure things out for myself.
There were a couple of things I didn't really like, but I really think they're the kinds of things that'll work themselves out with a few more novels. The last sentence, for example, just seemed like really blatant THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL. I don't know if that was the intention or not. I suppose it could just as easily been a stab at a horror-story-twist-ending but, in either case, it seemed out of place. I'm also getting really tired of female characters who find out the romantic interest slept with someone else before they even got together and throw a huge hissy fit over it.
Overall, though, I quite enjoyed it. I liked the questions that kind of option raises, and I especially liked that Ms. Lynn explored quite a few of those questions and that her explorations were, in general, delicate rather than heavy-handed.
October 23, 2018
Loved it. What would you change if you had the chance, not just once, but twice? For em and fi it would seem obvious but having seen their mother go down the wrong path after she tried it, what will they choose to fix?
May 10, 2015
The dystopian world of Amendments reminded me a lot of William Gibson, but without the technological firecrackers. Emelia is about to turn 21, the age at which she has to register for her amendments. Everyone has two of these, which they can use to go back and fix errors, thus avoiding the regret of a bad decision. The registration for this right is marked by a silver scar to the palm. For some, it is a day of celebration. There are even a lucky few who hold onto their amendments until the end of their lives, when they use them to live it all again. Emelia knows from first hand family experience that life is not always so simple. Her father disappeared, her mother broke the amendment rules and suffered horribly before her death, and her sister, Finola, is vanishing into the whirlpool of addiction and chaos. Gabe, the family friend whose support has kept them afloat, has always seemed to be in love with Fi. As Em leaves the Centre with her newly scarred hand, she discovers that, in fact, his feelings are taken up with her. The trouble is, when you use an amendment, you also lose memories.
As I've said above, the plot is beautifully handled. Possibly those with a higher sci-fi IQ could find holes to pick at; I don't tend to over-analyse, especially when I'm enjoying a first read through. The characters are engaging, the dialogue fluent and believable and the setting sketched in with just the right amount of detail for immersion. It's very filmic in tone (think Looper and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and Lynn manages to avoid info-dumping whilst dripping in enough to keep us afloat but still guessing: exactly the right balance. I started off just meaning to read for five minutes whilst I ate my lunch. Two hours later, and following several reminders from my son that I'd promised to help him with something, I had to force myself to put it down.
The world of the book, a near parallel to our own, works very well and I totally bought the grey, defeated existence of the Administrators, 'eyelids smeared with a careless smudge of cheap blue makeup', wielding their limited bureaucratic power with 'passive disdain'. I could have done without the occasional sci-fi trope, such as the use of 'Seksyen' for a residential area - the book was strong enough not to need reminders of this sort - but that's a minor niggle. This is an impressive debut, and I'll be keeping an eye out for what Lynn publishes next time round.
As I've said above, the plot is beautifully handled. Possibly those with a higher sci-fi IQ could find holes to pick at; I don't tend to over-analyse, especially when I'm enjoying a first read through. The characters are engaging, the dialogue fluent and believable and the setting sketched in with just the right amount of detail for immersion. It's very filmic in tone (think Looper and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and Lynn manages to avoid info-dumping whilst dripping in enough to keep us afloat but still guessing: exactly the right balance. I started off just meaning to read for five minutes whilst I ate my lunch. Two hours later, and following several reminders from my son that I'd promised to help him with something, I had to force myself to put it down.
The world of the book, a near parallel to our own, works very well and I totally bought the grey, defeated existence of the Administrators, 'eyelids smeared with a careless smudge of cheap blue makeup', wielding their limited bureaucratic power with 'passive disdain'. I could have done without the occasional sci-fi trope, such as the use of 'Seksyen' for a residential area - the book was strong enough not to need reminders of this sort - but that's a minor niggle. This is an impressive debut, and I'll be keeping an eye out for what Lynn publishes next time round.
May 20, 2015
The author sent me an electronic copy of this book for review.
The book is an impressive first novel. The author maintains excellent pacing throughout and has created deep and realistic characters. The premise is interesting, if fraught with some niggling problems. In short, the world is one in which individuals are allowed to make two "amendments" to their lives to send themselves a message and go back and redo their lives from a specific moment. Lurking in the background but not fully described is a Big Brotherish Administration that controls the amendment process as well as certain other aspects of the society. There are some rules to the way it works that are revealed during the course of the story.
Throughout, I couldn't quite get past the feeling that everyone would wait until late in life (or at least quite a bit longer than the characters seemed to do) to reflect back and amend the most crucial moments. The author addresses this somewhat by creating social expectations that individuals will use their amendments for certain purposes (e.g., to correct accidents that take lives). Still, I never quite got past the sense that it would still make sense to wait to see how things played out much longer before jumping into an amendment.
Nonetheless, this niggling complaint didn't stop me from wanting to get back to the story as soon as possible. I liked these characters even if I found myself frequently impatient with them. I wanted to know more about their world and their lives.
The author's vocabulary is strong, though occasionally felt a bit stilted: "internally cursing my drab pyjamas and chastising
puerile reaction." This is really a small criticism though; overall, the author has good command of language to tell a compelling story and make the writing interesting to read.
I would definitely read another book set in this universe or a sequel to this one. I'll be interested to see what else this author writes.
The book is an impressive first novel. The author maintains excellent pacing throughout and has created deep and realistic characters. The premise is interesting, if fraught with some niggling problems. In short, the world is one in which individuals are allowed to make two "amendments" to their lives to send themselves a message and go back and redo their lives from a specific moment. Lurking in the background but not fully described is a Big Brotherish Administration that controls the amendment process as well as certain other aspects of the society. There are some rules to the way it works that are revealed during the course of the story.
Throughout, I couldn't quite get past the feeling that everyone would wait until late in life (or at least quite a bit longer than the characters seemed to do) to reflect back and amend the most crucial moments. The author addresses this somewhat by creating social expectations that individuals will use their amendments for certain purposes (e.g., to correct accidents that take lives). Still, I never quite got past the sense that it would still make sense to wait to see how things played out much longer before jumping into an amendment.
Nonetheless, this niggling complaint didn't stop me from wanting to get back to the story as soon as possible. I liked these characters even if I found myself frequently impatient with them. I wanted to know more about their world and their lives.
The author's vocabulary is strong, though occasionally felt a bit stilted: "internally cursing my drab pyjamas and chastising
puerile reaction." This is really a small criticism though; overall, the author has good command of language to tell a compelling story and make the writing interesting to read.
I would definitely read another book set in this universe or a sequel to this one. I'll be interested to see what else this author writes.
April 15, 2015
This is such a unique book, and almost impossible to categorise as it draws on so many literary elements, yet remarkably it never feels cluttered or over-whelming. The amendments at the heart of the story are straight up sci-fi, yet the relationship between the three main characters is classic romance. Then the setting, a bleak and fractured world, so close and yet so different from ours, reminiscent of Margaret Atwood's work.
For a first time author, or any author for that matter, this is beautifully written; a little wordy at times, but there is no denying the vividness of the world she creates. The characters are relatable on many levels and their dialogue is sharp and authentic. Perfect pacing keeps you turning the pages as the story unfolds within this unusual narrative.
Right from the start I was hooked on this idea of amending. A unique and clever riff on the often tired time-travel trope, the concept will leave you thinking and discussing for days, maybe weeks, after you have finished reading the book.
If you are looking for something smart, funny, sad and different then buy this book and buy it now. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
For a first time author, or any author for that matter, this is beautifully written; a little wordy at times, but there is no denying the vividness of the world she creates. The characters are relatable on many levels and their dialogue is sharp and authentic. Perfect pacing keeps you turning the pages as the story unfolds within this unusual narrative.
Right from the start I was hooked on this idea of amending. A unique and clever riff on the often tired time-travel trope, the concept will leave you thinking and discussing for days, maybe weeks, after you have finished reading the book.
If you are looking for something smart, funny, sad and different then buy this book and buy it now. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
October 1, 2018
Amendments is a dystopian story set in futuristic Britain. The population lives mainly in one megacity. In an attempt to avoid human disasters of old, such as war and power struggles, a system known as Amendments has been created. When individuals reach the age of twenty-one, they must register for the right to Amend. After that they have two chances to go back and change an event in their past.
But this is still not a perfect world; jobs are limited, many have little money and the act of Amending is having a negative effect on some. Em and Fi have lost their mother and Fi has become so engulfed with guilt that she is now an alcoholic. It’s Em’s twenty-first birthday; Fi is comatose, but family friend Gabe offers to take Em to her registration ceremony. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bK1
But this is still not a perfect world; jobs are limited, many have little money and the act of Amending is having a negative effect on some. Em and Fi have lost their mother and Fi has become so engulfed with guilt that she is now an alcoholic. It’s Em’s twenty-first birthday; Fi is comatose, but family friend Gabe offers to take Em to her registration ceremony. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bK1
May 1, 2015
Not my type of book but it was recommended so I persisted with it and found that I really enjoyed it and ,in turn, would thourghly recommend it to other readers. Found the whole concept interesting despite my original misgivings.
December 13, 2015
Very bleak. The story idea is fascinating but it lacked depth and interest for me
November 17, 2018
This novel is wrapped around a startling premise. Citizens in a small future kingdom (which strangely lacks a king) have the right to 'redo' their life again. Twice only for each person.
This provides the marvellous possibility of starting again on a particular day to grasp a missed opportunity or correct a mistake. This version of time travel means you have no memory of the elapsed period and can send only a single brief message, just a few words, back to your earlier self.
The plot is, of course, convoluted as our coming-of-age character Em and her sister Fi work through the considerations of the possible impacts on their own and each other's lives. It can get confusing at times as we also have memories and dreams shown to us but the author keeps a tight grip on the plot as she hurtles onward. Hold onto your hat as Hannah M. Lynn gives us a roller-coaster ride through time in a very packed few months.
As an avid reader of science fiction I found it disconcerting that the various Rules which must not be broken are introduced without any rationale or history. I was also amazed that characters who have grown up under this regime seem to have never considered the implications of the amendments of others disrupting their lives. I expected an interesting debate about free will.
My other reservation is personal. I was disturbed by all the characters frequently shouting at others to listen and resorting to impetuous violence so readily. There seemed to be a flavour of sado-masochism which I found off-putting.
This provides the marvellous possibility of starting again on a particular day to grasp a missed opportunity or correct a mistake. This version of time travel means you have no memory of the elapsed period and can send only a single brief message, just a few words, back to your earlier self.
The plot is, of course, convoluted as our coming-of-age character Em and her sister Fi work through the considerations of the possible impacts on their own and each other's lives. It can get confusing at times as we also have memories and dreams shown to us but the author keeps a tight grip on the plot as she hurtles onward. Hold onto your hat as Hannah M. Lynn gives us a roller-coaster ride through time in a very packed few months.
As an avid reader of science fiction I found it disconcerting that the various Rules which must not be broken are introduced without any rationale or history. I was also amazed that characters who have grown up under this regime seem to have never considered the implications of the amendments of others disrupting their lives. I expected an interesting debate about free will.
My other reservation is personal. I was disturbed by all the characters frequently shouting at others to listen and resorting to impetuous violence so readily. There seemed to be a flavour of sado-masochism which I found off-putting.
May 24, 2018
This book had me feeling all sorts of ways all at the same time. At first, I was incredibly into the story and the implications that amendments could have. However, the story quickly took an unexpected turn and become darker and angstier in tone. When looking at the flow of the story I definitely have to agree that it is done well. Moments that feel rushed have a faster pace and slower moments take their time.
Characters are created with deep flaws and intense motivations for their actions. Albeit not always for the greater good. I can't believe I empathised with Luke. Oh my god.
I struggled to read it from time to time which I attribute to the fact that it is written in a perspective I normally don't read in. Could this affect my enjoyment of it? I guess it did. Don't get me wrong. It's still a good story, but maybe just not entirely for me.
Overall this story is a dystopian future that I in no way want to take place. Emelia her life is ruined beyond repair by the system they are living in and it feels as though she subconsciously knows this too, but is afraid to act on it.
If you are into dystopian tales, please consider getting it. The Ebook is currently free to get until the 26th of May and who doesn't like a free book!?
Characters are created with deep flaws and intense motivations for their actions. Albeit not always for the greater good. I can't believe I empathised with Luke. Oh my god.
I struggled to read it from time to time which I attribute to the fact that it is written in a perspective I normally don't read in. Could this affect my enjoyment of it? I guess it did. Don't get me wrong. It's still a good story, but maybe just not entirely for me.
Overall this story is a dystopian future that I in no way want to take place. Emelia her life is ruined beyond repair by the system they are living in and it feels as though she subconsciously knows this too, but is afraid to act on it.
If you are into dystopian tales, please consider getting it. The Ebook is currently free to get until the 26th of May and who doesn't like a free book!?
April 19, 2019
Incredible, one the best books I’ve read in a while
I saw this book recommended on a writers group, and what a wonderful book to stumble across.
The writing is poetic and delightful and so thought provoking. I fell in love with the characters which is the key success of this book for me. The descriptions were incredible and emotionally driven.
At times, I may have wanted a little more plot and sometimes found repeating scenes after an amendment a little frustrating, but this was very minor and to be honest I cannot praise this book enough for how beautifully written and emotionally charged it was.
I look forward to reading more of Hannah’s work
I saw this book recommended on a writers group, and what a wonderful book to stumble across.
The writing is poetic and delightful and so thought provoking. I fell in love with the characters which is the key success of this book for me. The descriptions were incredible and emotionally driven.
At times, I may have wanted a little more plot and sometimes found repeating scenes after an amendment a little frustrating, but this was very minor and to be honest I cannot praise this book enough for how beautifully written and emotionally charged it was.
I look forward to reading more of Hannah’s work
November 19, 2018
I haven't read many dystopian books but this one really stood out for me. A brilliant concept and it's well written. I loved the idea of being able to change an action from the past and it certainly left me asking myself what I would do in our main character's position. Torn between love or your sister. A clever read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.
October 12, 2020
The book reads like a jumbled dream-scape with a lot of detailed description of the protagonist’s surroundings and physical sensations. It kept my interest but ultimately felt both long and incomplete. I wanted to know more about the characters; their driving factors and background. There were a lot of allusions but nothing concrete and I felt tired from the effort and ultimately unsatisfied. I’m not sure it fully achieved what the writer intended, but it was thought-provoking and original.
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